NASHVILLE, Tenn. --Vanderbilt soccer continues its five-game season opening home stand this weekend with matches against Mercer and Murray State at the Vanderbilt Soccer Complex.

"Both teams (Mercer and Murray State) are coming off very good seasons and they are hard working teams that are built with talented players who will pose a good challenge for us," said Vanderbilt head coach Ronnie Woodard.

The Commodores, fresh off a 2-1 season opening win over Saint Louis last Saturday, will take on Mercer Friday at 7 p.m.

The Bears (1-0) shutout Jacksonville State last Friday, 2-0, in its season opener. Freshman Meghan O'Rourke scored her first collegiate goal in the victory while sophomore Jessie Kupstas added the other score.

"Mercer is always competitive in their conference and they are coming off a good win over Alabama in exhibition play as well," said Woodard.

VU will face Murray State at 2 p.m. on Sunday in the third game of the home skein.

The Racers fell to Arkansas-Little Rock, 2-0, last Saturday in both teams' season opener. The defending Ohio Valley Conference champions are led by sophomore Rachel Wright who was the league's newcomer of the year after scoring six goals with six assists (both team highs) in 2008.

"I think one of our biggest challenges with Murray State on Sunday will be how fresh they will be after having not played a game in nine days, while we will be coming off the Mercer contest on Friday," added Woodard.